Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma is a type of cancer. Although it effects the bones it starts in the cells. Multiple Myeloma is formed by malignant white blood cells, the plasma cells. About 15,000 people, each year is diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple Myeloma cells collect in bone marrow and the hard, outer part of the bone. Sometimes only in one bone, forming a single tumor, but in most cases the Multiple Myeloma is in several bones.

There are a variety of different therapies and medicines available, for Multiple Myeloma, each patient responding differently.

My personal experience with this disease lays with my best friend having been diagnosed in 1989. This woman wanted to protect me, from worry, so didn't call me until January of 1990. It was a devastating call to receive. We are like sisters having been raised together, at ages 5 and 6 until we were out of school. At the time of diagnosis, my friend was having a considerable amount of pain in her hips. A series of tests were done to find that she had Multiple Myeloma. Then Multiple Myeloma patients usually only had 5 years before death. Over the years, with different types of chemotherapy and different medications, she is still alive.

There have been many down days. Multiple Myeloma plays havoc on ones body. Taking chemotherapy treatment monthly, the third day is really hard on my friend. She becomes very nauseated, weak and tired, often time in tears. Prayer handles so many things.

Although there are many miles between us, we stay in touch. It gives my friend a lift for us to talk, as it seems my calls come at the right time.

Multiple Myeloma reacts differently to each patient. In an unrelated case, a friend had much less time with her husband. Her husband went to visit his family, a 100 miles away, when he got lost and had no idea where he was. He remembered the phone number of a family member, called them and then was admitted to the hospital, thinking that he had had a stroke. With tests they found the Multiple Myeloma and from there it was downhill and nearly a complete memory loss. In a few short months he had died.